THE Socialist Party of Malaysia Petaling Jaya (PSM PJ) has joined the chorus of voices criticising the Selangor state government’s decision to revive the construction of the Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) Expressway project.

The controversial project, which was discontinued in April, may now be back on the board, according to state infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Izham Hashim at the Selangor state assembly sitting on Thursday (July 4).

In a statement on Friday (July 5), PSM PJ chairperson Gandipan Nantha Gopalan questioned if the lobbying for this highway project so strong that the state government cannot take a principled stance to reject its construction.

“The state government must explain why it is so difficult to permanently cancel this highway project, which is not agreed upon and opposed by the residents around the proposed construction area,” Gandipan remarked.

“Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari himself once stated that the Selangor state government has received a Social Impact Assessment indicating that most residents do not agree with the construction of this new highway. Why does the government still need to allow for further re-evaluation?”

For context, in April, communications minister Fahmi Fadzil said the Cabinet had decided not to continue discussions with the PJD Link developer after it failed to fulfil the conditions in the concession agreement to enable the agreement to take effect.

Gandipan further called for the cancellation of the PJD Link Expressway project that he said “only benefit capitalists and do not prioritise the sustainability of the Selangor state”, adding that all state assembly members in the affected areas must also declare their stance on the matter.

“Residents in the affected areas and community groups who have long opposed the construction of this highway must pressure their ADUNs to take a stand,” he added.

Gandipan further said the Selangor state government should disclose and must not classify critical concession agreements that affect the people under the Official Secrets Act 1972 as the public has the right to know and access the contents of these documents as part of the people’s democratic rights.

“The state government must also provide a new public transportation plan to reduce traffic congestion and alleviate the economic burden on the people,” he stated.

“This plan should focus on the entire Klang Valley, especially Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, and Puchong.

“The number of buses should be increased, and waiting times for buses should be reduced. The federal government should financially support this initiative if the Selangor State Government does not have the capacity to realise this plan.”

Similarly, MUDA central executive committee member VKK Raja said Izham’s announcement that the controversial project will be reconsidered has taken residents by surprise and feels like a “betrayal” by the Selangor state government.

In a statement, MUDA called for the government to finalise its decision on the project only after proper townhall sessions with all affected residents and stakeholders.

“The reports of the Social Impact Assessment (SIA), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA), previously classified under the Official Secrets Act (OSA), should also be disclosed to the public,” the statement read.

The PJD Link is a proposed 34.3km dual-carriage expressway with four lanes and eight interchanges/ramps, intended as an alternative to the heavily used Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP) to connect various fast-growing townships with Bandar Utama in Petaling Jaya at one end and Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur at the other end. - July 5, 2024

https://focusmalaysia.my/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-permanently-cancel-pjd-link-project-psm-pj-asks-sgor-state-govt/